About a week ago, I changed my strategy for running. I now run for a pre-set number of minutes not a set number of miles. Last week I ran 20 miles. This week I'm on pace to complete 27 miles. At times that just blows my mind. Other times I am discouraged that I still run slow. I'm trusting the program and building up an aerobic base. It is getting easier to run 6-8 minutes in a row, and my heart rate is lower when I do - on average less than 165. This is a good leap from the Salem race, where I could only run 3-4 minutes and my heartbeat would be up in the realm of 180 bpm. I know it will take time.
To say that I'm enjoying it would be a lie. There is nothing "fun" about running for me. It is a means to an end - that awesome medal - hey, it's all about the bling. I use goal times to motivate me to keep going. To be honest, I've never really pushed myself during any half marathon. Disney, I just wanted to finish. I didn't train, and so I took the extra time allowed by Mark's speed run to just get er done. In Salem, I started the hour early with the walkers and didn't even begin to run until mile 3 or 4. So, Vegas will be my first real attempt to complete a half.
On the downside, the scale hasn't moved in a month. I see that my body is changing - some clothes fit better and others - like my fat jeans hang off of me. I can put them on and off without unbuttoning them. Yet, I'm not able to get into the next size jeans yet. Patience, I keep telling myself. But, it is getting a little frustrating. I added calories and then ate less, but there was no movement. I've switched up my routine, still nothing. I'm convinced that God has stopped the scale so I can get my priorites straight.
As I mentioned yesterday, God hardened the heart of Pharoh until he ultimately let the Israelites go. Certainly, God can stop my weightloss until I get back into reading the Bible. After all, that is what this blog is about - my journey through the Bible. But, I have a tendancy to make it all about the weightloss. I'm glad He's making sure that I don't this time.
Yesterday, I read that for each pound I lose, I should be able to run 2 seconds faster per mile. My goal is to get another 30 off by the marathon to get back a minute per mile. That would be sweet! Until then, I need to lay off the sweets - which gets tempting as Halloween approaches and our house becomes candy central. I've decided that to say I won't indulge it foolish - I know I will. So, instead I'll pick just one type of candy, and just eat that. I'll choose one that we don't buy to give away and one that the kids don't really eat. That would be butterfingers - my mouth is watering just thinking about it. But, Halloween is still over two weeks away. No sweets until then...
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